Anesthesia Technologist Practice Exam

What is defined as the temperature at which the vapor pressure of a liquid equals atmospheric pressure?

1. Boiling Point

2. Melting Point

3. Freezing Point

4. Condensation Point

The correct answer is: Boiling Point

The boiling point of a liquid is precisely defined as the temperature at which its vapor pressure equals the surrounding atmospheric pressure. At this temperature, the liquid transitions into its gaseous state, resulting in the formation of bubbles within the liquid that rise to the surface and escape into the atmosphere. This phenomenon is significant in various scientific and medical applications, including anesthesia, where understanding the properties of gases and liquids can influence the choice and application of anesthetic agents. Other choices relate to different phase changes. The melting point is the temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid, while the freezing point is the temperature where a liquid solidifies. The condensation point, on the other hand, is when a gas changes back into a liquid. Thus, while these other terms represent important concepts in thermodynamics and material science, they do not define the particular temperature condition concerning vapor pressure and atmospheric pressure that characterizes the boiling point.